I’m not naive enough… and I’ve been watching dramas long enough to know this… to think that romance in any drama lands for everyone the same way. Although I seldom have SLS, I’ve held minority positions on the lead romance before. It should be no surprise to anyone that there are romances in dramas that do absolutely nothing for me but I navigate them successfully due to other aspects of the show. It’s a balancing act and somehow we manage to find a place of compromise for ourselves.
Ohhhh, I feel you, I feel you! It's sour grapes, I suppose...
What's struck me most in this week's episode is how happy Jeong-won was (with the girl of his choice, if I may add). And happiness is the best indicator of how things are going, whether in one's personal life or in a relationship. The show also took great pains to plant an image of them going forward together, hand in hand, in that car scene. Could it be read differently? Maybe. But maybe you just have to admit that your expectations differ from the authors' intentions... and pour out your thoughts and emotions in a fanfic or two.
I also wanted to add to your description, dear author, is how efficient Jeong-won was when he had to deal with the inheritance issues. He managed to convince the board, appoint the director he wanted, sign up all of his friends as doctors AND take control of the VIP wards in, like, a couple of days. He certainly has a grown-up side too. But to take on more responsibility, he must learn how to be responsible not just for people in general (i. e. the patients), but for his partner, colleagues, his team. As you have written earlier, his relationship with Gyeo-ul will probably take him THERE.
And frankly, after what Professor Ahn has put her through last season, some aegyo is kinda expected, no?
Ik-Jun summed it up in the early episodes of season 1. Ik-Jun and Gyeo-ul were talking at the garden (eating yukjeon) and he asked what Gyeo-ul likes about Jeong-won. Gyeol-ul said “Everything.” Ik-Jun said that Gyeo-ul might like the fantasy version of Jeong-won because the way he behaves in the hospital is very different with how he behaves when he’s with friends.
And to be blunt about it, there’s no way we can know or dictate how Jeong-won should behave when it comes to his romantic relationship because this is his first. We should accept whatever PD serves us.
I’m glad yours is the only blog I read and I don’t bother to read other forums or Reddit threads. I might be totally pissed to read those who are criticizing how Jeong-won is portrayed. Hahahaha!!
Spot on! I really don't understand those hating on him. We've seen bouts of his aegyo / childish like behaviour from way back in season 1 and I don't see why he should be acting any differently now that he's dating Gyeoul. Did they expect him to be a tsundere like boyfriend to her? And just like you said about the other characters, we all slip into our cutesy or silly sides only with the people we trust.
Well, this side of Jeong won with Gyeo-ul is what I waited to watch for the whole year. The man-child and clingy boyfriend.
But what makes this season out of sense for me is the lack of Gyeoul’s pov. The previous season presented their relationship through her eyes till the very last. It felt like we travelled along with her for the entire period. We felt the jitters of her crush and could empathise with her through every emotion she went through.
Coming to the post confession scene, we saw an elated Jeongwon having a hard time to sleep, reminiscing the kiss and joy of his new relationship. But what about gyeoul? For Godsake, had she expected this turnover? She was along the lines of thinking that she was a nobody for him. Was his confession (that we haven’t seen yet) sufficient enough to erase all her thoughts on his opinion towards her? To have never experienced the kindness of a person to now being flooded with his love, how does it make it normal for a person to receive it all as a natural thing? And what about her confrontation to his lie and the cold treatment towards her? I can’t relate her to be a saint who can understand all of his reasons in one go and to put it behind her like the past never happened.
Rather than the fluff and physical intimacy, the emotional intimacy is lacking here. Even the interpersonal communications that we get is more of implied information consisting of flashbacks. And for two people with as much as many differences, navigating a new relationship in a way as natural as breathing- makes no sense at all.
I don't mind the aegyo at all, it's harmless and cute and something private between lovers.
I much rather be like Jeong-won than be like Jong-su's children and demandto be handed my inharitance, when your father is very much alive and healthy. I thought they were crass and tactless, while Ahn Jeong-won is a good son, friend and lover who wants what's best for those around him.
I know this has been a topic that has blown away out of proportions. I didn't know until I read this amazing blog. I must say that these scenes of Winter Garden are what I have expected.
One of the main reasons is that Anh Jeong-won has demonstrated his personality through season 1. There has been several parts that this has reflected that he is an emotional person at times. He is a man that his soft and gullible with persons that are close to him (like his mother and best friends). Therefore, he was going to project same behavior with the person that he loves.
At the same time it doesn't make sense to me if the PD and screen writer didn't reflect that specially with Gyeol. Let us remember that this part of him has been a main element for her. Like she said to Yeons Omma she's not good with words and with emotional situations because she's too blunt. Therefore, Jeong-won kind of balance this part of her and viceversa.
So for me I love how they interact and specially when Gyeol answers back with aegyo.
I am no literary genius…but I totally get the HP writer Lee’s depiction of Anh Jeong Won and Jang Gyeul’s characters. I hate watching dramas that gives too much explanation. I don’t mind back stories but audience are smart enough to figure out the gaps that were not shown. I would say HP is a drama without the ‘drama’..
I always felt that Jeong Won has been consistently written. From S1 right up till now. And his all out agyeo is exactly how I imagine him to behave when he dates. It has no bearing on his choices and decisions as a person - he is childlike but not immature. Think a lot of folks out there may confuse the two :D The man has all his priorities right and is farsighted. I love all the WG interactions. This is exactly how many new couples on a honeymoon phase start off. In the current time line they have barely been together for 2 or 3 months ( maybe less). People should just enjoy these sweet moments.
Ohhhh, I feel you, I feel you! It's sour grapes, I suppose...
What's struck me most in this week's episode is how happy Jeong-won was (with the girl of his choice, if I may add). And happiness is the best indicator of how things are going, whether in one's personal life or in a relationship. The show also took great pains to plant an image of them going forward together, hand in hand, in that car scene. Could it be read differently? Maybe. But maybe you just have to admit that your expectations differ from the authors' intentions... and pour out your thoughts and emotions in a fanfic or two.
I also wanted to add to your description, dear author, is how efficient Jeong-won was when he had to deal with the inheritance issues. He managed to convince the board, appoint the director he wanted, sign up all of his friends as doctors AND take control of the VIP wards in, like, a couple of days. He certainly has a grown-up side too. But to take on more responsibility, he must learn how to be responsible not just for people in general (i. e. the patients), but for his partner, colleagues, his team. As you have written earlier, his relationship with Gyeo-ul will probably take him THERE.
And frankly, after what Professor Ahn has put her through last season, some aegyo is kinda expected, no?
Ik-Jun summed it up in the early episodes of season 1. Ik-Jun and Gyeo-ul were talking at the garden (eating yukjeon) and he asked what Gyeo-ul likes about Jeong-won. Gyeol-ul said “Everything.” Ik-Jun said that Gyeo-ul might like the fantasy version of Jeong-won because the way he behaves in the hospital is very different with how he behaves when he’s with friends.
And to be blunt about it, there’s no way we can know or dictate how Jeong-won should behave when it comes to his romantic relationship because this is his first. We should accept whatever PD serves us.
I’m glad yours is the only blog I read and I don’t bother to read other forums or Reddit threads. I might be totally pissed to read those who are criticizing how Jeong-won is portrayed. Hahahaha!!
Spot on! I really don't understand those hating on him. We've seen bouts of his aegyo / childish like behaviour from way back in season 1 and I don't see why he should be acting any differently now that he's dating Gyeoul. Did they expect him to be a tsundere like boyfriend to her? And just like you said about the other characters, we all slip into our cutesy or silly sides only with the people we trust.
Well, this side of Jeong won with Gyeo-ul is what I waited to watch for the whole year. The man-child and clingy boyfriend.
But what makes this season out of sense for me is the lack of Gyeoul’s pov. The previous season presented their relationship through her eyes till the very last. It felt like we travelled along with her for the entire period. We felt the jitters of her crush and could empathise with her through every emotion she went through.
Coming to the post confession scene, we saw an elated Jeongwon having a hard time to sleep, reminiscing the kiss and joy of his new relationship. But what about gyeoul? For Godsake, had she expected this turnover? She was along the lines of thinking that she was a nobody for him. Was his confession (that we haven’t seen yet) sufficient enough to erase all her thoughts on his opinion towards her? To have never experienced the kindness of a person to now being flooded with his love, how does it make it normal for a person to receive it all as a natural thing? And what about her confrontation to his lie and the cold treatment towards her? I can’t relate her to be a saint who can understand all of his reasons in one go and to put it behind her like the past never happened.
Rather than the fluff and physical intimacy, the emotional intimacy is lacking here. Even the interpersonal communications that we get is more of implied information consisting of flashbacks. And for two people with as much as many differences, navigating a new relationship in a way as natural as breathing- makes no sense at all.
I love that you talk about facts of the dramaverse. I dont know why people must project their ideals onto a character. I love Ahn Jeongwon as he is!
This was a delight to read.
I don't mind the aegyo at all, it's harmless and cute and something private between lovers.
I much rather be like Jeong-won than be like Jong-su's children and demandto be handed my inharitance, when your father is very much alive and healthy. I thought they were crass and tactless, while Ahn Jeong-won is a good son, friend and lover who wants what's best for those around him.
Cheers, from Buenos Aires, Argentina ♥
I know this has been a topic that has blown away out of proportions. I didn't know until I read this amazing blog. I must say that these scenes of Winter Garden are what I have expected.
One of the main reasons is that Anh Jeong-won has demonstrated his personality through season 1. There has been several parts that this has reflected that he is an emotional person at times. He is a man that his soft and gullible with persons that are close to him (like his mother and best friends). Therefore, he was going to project same behavior with the person that he loves.
At the same time it doesn't make sense to me if the PD and screen writer didn't reflect that specially with Gyeol. Let us remember that this part of him has been a main element for her. Like she said to Yeons Omma she's not good with words and with emotional situations because she's too blunt. Therefore, Jeong-won kind of balance this part of her and viceversa.
So for me I love how they interact and specially when Gyeol answers back with aegyo.
I am no literary genius…but I totally get the HP writer Lee’s depiction of Anh Jeong Won and Jang Gyeul’s characters. I hate watching dramas that gives too much explanation. I don’t mind back stories but audience are smart enough to figure out the gaps that were not shown. I would say HP is a drama without the ‘drama’..
I always felt that Jeong Won has been consistently written. From S1 right up till now. And his all out agyeo is exactly how I imagine him to behave when he dates. It has no bearing on his choices and decisions as a person - he is childlike but not immature. Think a lot of folks out there may confuse the two :D The man has all his priorities right and is farsighted. I love all the WG interactions. This is exactly how many new couples on a honeymoon phase start off. In the current time line they have barely been together for 2 or 3 months ( maybe less). People should just enjoy these sweet moments.